Pbf vs. 1972 Roberto Duran

Welcome to the board, Schmapps.

 

Floyd eventually fighting Cotto would be useful here.

We've seen him troubled by pressure fighters before to varying degrees, sometimes pretty badly.

 

We've seen duran struggle with movement, aka edwin viruet, leonard, benitez.

 

Schmapps. Welcome. And congratulation on a good first thread/post.

Duran should be favored to catch him and neutralize the slickness with undaunted pressure -legal or otherwise. I suspect that Duran would be rougher and more active than Oscar and would apply far more effective pressure than Ricky.

Floyd is a beauty in there, but I just don't think he'd have physical strength or the requisite firepower to keep Duran off -especially over 15 rounds. Remember at this point in his career, Duran was known to get a hellacious second wind at around round 8. So just when most fighters are getting a bit winded, Duran turns it up and as Arcel testified, "he just won't let you alone."

 

I think he'd go out on his shield if anything.

He's arrogant. He wouldn't just roll up in a ball and quit, losing or not.

 

Welcome aboard.
This is a very interesting fight...I'm sure not sure where exactly Mayweather's peak weight is...I'm beginnning to be more impressed with his performances from junior welter upward to welterweight. He did have a masterpiece against Corrales at 130lbs though...You couldn't really improve on a fight like that...
I'll assume we are at lightweight for this one...Mayweather's speed and defense would perplex the raging Duran at times...with the left arm across the body (sometimes up with elbow protruding), chin tucked safely behind the shoulder, right hand up by the chin (or further out to counter a left hook, with a quick uppercut)...In this fight, Duran would be countered sharply and solidly outpointed for stretches in the some rounds...If memory serves, Buchanon was able to come on in the later rounds of their fight...Mayweather with his speed, defense, and counter punching is a more multi faceted opponent than Buchanon...IMO.
Duran in '72, was an aggressive, raging, torrent of leather...not so much the technical fighter he was to become...I like Duran's aggression, but is he seasoned enough to beat Floyd at this time?
While Mayweather is exceptionally slick and mobile, but alot of times, he will stay in the pocket with the likes of Chavez (Jesus), Hernandez, and Castillo...He has always done this, and for the most part is successful...How about against a Duran?
I like Duran. Why? With his style (Floyd) being very adept with hisdefense...he would be in the pocket, looking for countering opportunities. Floyd would find them...but he would also be found, and pushed, pulled, shoved...and everything else! Ask Buchannon about that! I feel it would be close, but Duran even at this young stage is much more offfensively proficient than anyone Floyd has faced at lightweight,or ever, for that matter...So far in his career...and much more tenacious.
Duran by MD
Duran would take the next one by clear cut decision...

 

I like Durans effective pressure, Duran hit harder tha Hatton, was faster then Delahoya and hit harder, Duran also could bang to the body well...Floyd has fast hands, is great defensive fighter but can not hit like S.Ray, still Floyd has good power and speed...I see him landing some combo's on Roberto but Duran could also roll and slide and the effective pressure of Duran makes me think he would win on a late stoppage with the hook to the liver, right hand down the pike getting to Floyd late..11th -14th...in an even fight with Duran coming on

 

:good

 

I think 1972 Duran is a bit too green to win this fight. I would take Pbf to decision this version Duran as long he keeps his work rate up; however Duran anywhere from Dejesus 2 onwards especially Dejesus 3 definitely beats Pbf.

 

Pbf takes a close decision over the 1972 version of Duran, who was several years from being the complete fighter he turned out to be.

 

Duran was a bit wild at this early stage but still very relentless, powerful & fast, he just kept coming.

I think Mayweather has a good shot to win close on points vs this version of Duran in a 12 round fight but in a 15 round fight I think even this Duran reverses that decision.

The more seasoned Duran from about 1974 onwards all the way up to Leonard I in 1980 would be too much for Floyd IMO.